Snapshots From Past Rallies and Outings
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Newcastle Caravan Club 50th Birthday Party
Monday July 21st 2021
January General Meeting 2023
Manning Point February 2023
Mudgee March 2023
Sawtell Rally May 2023
Bretti Rally May 2023
Gulargambone Rally May 2023
Various Rallys Early 2023
One Mile Beach Rally July 2023
Christmas in July 2023
Down South Roving Rally
October 2023
6 vans started on Thursday stopping for morning tea at Branxton truck stop then on to the putty Rd to stay at grey gum cafe free camp amongst the kangaroo droppings its a lovely spot and that night we froze. The next day we went onto the state rally at Hawksberry showground. Another 3 vans joined us for the state rally. We had 6 winners for the raffle Joy won 3 Patricia 2 and Ros 2. No luck in the disc bowls as the Windsor wind came up . We had a DJ the first night the second we had Elvo and Cher it was an entertaining night so ask Paul for the pics .Over all the rally was good as our it was 1st. Best outcome from the rally was Paul Henwood's love affair with Cher he slept on his i pad all night. The Tepper's also had a sexy slow dance. Don and Patricia left us to go to the Qld state rally
Day 1
12 vans started our down south roving rally1st day heading to Huskisson. Mount Hossley was a bummer to bummer trip down the mountain just a truck brake down that held us up. But it was a great time to take in view of Wollongong... we finally made it to Huskisson without any drama.
4 went to wrong park we won't mention that. Finally as our vice president arrived just in time for happy hour good timing Randel
Day 2
It rained overnight and there howling winds all night so most of us moved inside for the day but we didn't miss happy hour in the camp kitchen.
Day 3
We had a trip to Berry where we all decided it was very expensive. But I did buy a nice dress for $20. Happy hour was another fun time as I broke another 75 cent glass my first for this trip that's another trip to k mart.
Day 4.
Birthday time Colleen Leslie and Bruce shared birthdays for this month Joy had bought lovely sponges for morning tea. Another cold day which kept most of us indoors again. The last supper was at the bowling club Chinese if coarse.
Day 5
And yes the day we leave beautiful sun came out to bid us farewell to our stay at Husky . Allan decided to start the trip with no chains attached. CB's on then we had a convoy. Unfortunately we had to say goodbye to our travel buddy George as his car broke down and couldn't be fixed in Huskisson so George's car van and dog had to be towed back to Newcastle not the dog towed. We took the scenic route to Tathra that took us through beautiful coastal towns and scenery. We passed through where the fires had been in Bermagui and surrounds very devastating, but we all arrived safe and sound. Happy hour was in play once we had settled and Gail bought out the white port from SA which Di enjoyed very very very much, and then the passing of jokes by some kept us amused .
Day 6
Most of us had a trip from Tathra into Bega to the Heritage Centre where we enjoyed a coffee and scones. Len had a Butterscotch milkshake recommended by the local RBT police that pulled him over and Allan didn't avoid them either. The fires are around the area and was very smokey but at least its a beautiful day. Some enjoyed the beach and some had gone to Merimbula and Pambula for a visit . Garry Garrison Jones a solo artist was our entertainment for the night courtesy of the park in the camp kitchen very talented.
Day 7
Free day some of us went whale watching and did see many whales and some went sightseeing. The end of the day was a grocery grab and the marriage game . It's now a known fact the longer your married the less you know about each other. Tony and Len went fishing on the beach but no fish only 3 crabs decided to hang on Tony's chicken bait. Unfortunately no net.
Day 8
Free day started off with morning tea and a poem from Noel our resident entertainer. We had the last supper at the Tathra Bowling club we a bought tickets for the raffle. Our raffle caller was better than the raffles I don't think he was expecting the Newcastle caravan club to be so entertaining . Our winners 2 prizes for the Vice President Randel and 2 for the Islips. A great night was had by all including the raffle caller.
Day 9
Off to Lakes Entrance and we started the day on a good note to we got to Can River and we were stopped by an accident on the road. 2 got through and 7 of us got caught up by a police road block . Unfortunately a traveller towing a van was wiped out by a B double who had a tyre blow out and took out the Jayco double axle van. Lucky no one was injured and we only had to wait 2 hours before we could pass. We pulled out our chairs and sat and had our lunch on the roadside of the Princess Hwy and Noel found a fellow traveller caught up with us and he had a guitar so him and Noel decided they would have a jam session cause that's what you do on the edge of the Princess Hwy... We all finally made it to Lakes Entrance and with no hesitation we quickly set up to be followed with happy hour at the Nash's outdoor patio.
Day 10
Rain today no play we all stayed in doors .
Day 11
We started the day after a very cold and windy night to the news that the way we were going to Bright the Alpine Way but had low visibility and ice ,so on that note the consensus was we would leave a day earlier then planned and travel a 6 hr drive to Seymour to stay for the night. It will be longer but a lot safer as Brian had lost his brakes on his van. We went to pull out but Allan had a flat tyre on his van .The rest of us braved the cold winds and 2 couple's braved a river cruise. Happy hour Colleen Hamilton conducted some fun games and we dressed in black for Friday the 13th.
Day 12
On the road again heading to Seymour for the night. Well the Victorian weather didn't disappoint 4 season in one day. It's amazing when your using C B and travelling in a convoy what people see. Allan Tepper noted at one stage that Isabel had caught up ,until Leslie noted it wasn't the 5th wheeler it was a horse float as it passed we said hi to the horse Isabe.l Allan should have gone yo spec savers. Well Gail as lead driver took all 6 caravans thru Melbourne over the West Gate Bridge . But after all we didn't have to do a U turn. All 12 vans arrived at Seymour for a late lunch and then happy hour.
Day 13
Today we said goodbye to the Tepper's as they head home for their cruise at least they will be warmer then we will be here in Bright. We had no mountain to cross so we all arrived safe. We finished the day with Noel charming us with his jokes stories and his guitar playing and singing.
Day 14
Well after a heavy down pour all night we awakened to a sunny but cool day. Brian got his car fixed which it turned out to be just a fuse in the caravan only $140 later. Some went shopping we took to the lookout and we all finished the day with music bingo at happy hour.
Day 15
Well we started the day off with Randall's van was bellowing smoke pouring out from underneath there was a few of us noticed its lucky it was only his diesel heater having a blow off. At last we have found the sun so we had a lovely visit to the Red Stag and Emu farm for a Devonshire tea with huge scones jam and cream. We saw Ostrich's, Emu's, baby goats, turkeys and heaps of Deer. We continued into Myrtleford for a look the ladies enjoyed the op shops. Some of us went sightseeing to lookouts .Gayle and Bruce, Ros and Len travelled to Mt Buffalo lookout some others went to the summit of Mt Buffalo for a 360 degree view and saw snow.
Day 16
Lazy day some went exploring and others found time to do nothing. We finished the night with the last supper at The Star hotel at Bright Christine said it was the best roast dinner she had ever had and the chicken schnitzel wasn't to bad either.
Day 17
Well we started out on our trip to Tumut got out on the road and found out Noel had a flat tyre on the van so Randall decided to turn around and go back to the park to help. But soon joined us again as Lionel had helped Noel then another call came across that the motorhome wouldn't start and they called the NRMA. Randall was the decided leader for the 5 vans as he knew the road but as he was going to turn around to go back Tony and I ended becoming leader which after 1km we had 2 vans going the wrong way. Finally everyone was Tumut bound. 5 of us travelled together on channel 18 and we got a call from an irate truckie who told us to let him pass because we were only on holidays and he had a job to do Gayle gave him a serve and told him to be more polite . We enjoyed the beautiful scenery that Randall took us on we had lunch at Tumbarumba then onto Tumut. Now we are all close friends now this rally is ending I would like to mention those who ended up with water views and those down in the lower grade Bronx camp sites. We won't mention those who were at Tumut heights but they know who they are but we also noticed they didn't invite us to happy hour by the babbling stream .
Day 18
Another beautiful day in paradise 29 degrees I know this rally we have had every season and weather patterns you could have but at last to finish the rally the weather is perfect. We had a lovely drive 30mins down to a little snowy town called Talbingo . We followed the Talbingo Dam around such beautiful scenery. We had morning tea at the only shop opened the lovely lady who served all 18 of us she ended up ringing a friend to help her. After coffee she came out and told us the history of the town . We all felt for her as her and her husband bought the business just before the fires and then the pandemic then low snow fall this winter she was ecstatic when we all turned up she even wanted a picture of us all. When then continued onto the dam for a look and the swimming pool the council built for the town at the dam even with sand for a beach. Happy hour Colleen organized some games if you would like to see the funny outcomes ask a rally member for the video's. Everyone enjoyed the day out and we finished with a sausage sizzle with Apple pie and ice cream thanks to the club for tea .and Joy for organizing and Tony President and Lionel for cooking.
Day 19
Last day at Tumut which we all recuperating getting ready for the last leg.
Happy hour tonight consisted of leftover ice cream which you could have a cone or a bowl so Joy sent Tony to get the cones and he come back short cones and wafers, Joy wasn't happy. Even the local duck came to join our happy hour. And all before we leave poor Noel had another flat tyre on his van. 7 vans decided to stay at Goulburn on the way home overnight and poor Noel 80ks from Goulburn he shredded yet another tyre. We finished off with tea together in the camp kitchen where Tony and Noel made trophies for the next rally out of lolly papers.
Its been great getting to know everybody a little better. Newbies Ros and Len were great company and Len was named the man on a mission to help all thanks Len . Gayle always has everything you could imagine in her van but finally I stumped her as I needed a sewing machine but she was a great leader on our journey for those who followed them. I was banned from leader as the only 2 times I did, we went the wrong way. At the end I broke 3 wine glasses in all, lucky I found and Kmart. We all enjoyed ourselves immensely and would like to thank everyone for there knowledge and there friendship over rally and look forward to the next one.
Gai
Queensland State Rally
October 2023
Christmas Rally Belmont
December 2023
Picnic Day and Horse Shoe Championships
Blackall's Park January 2024
Christmas Party December 2023
Moonee Beach Rally Feburary 2024
Drovers Campfire Boggabri April 2024
Gloucester Rally May 2024
Gloucester Rally
Tony officially started off the rally on Thursday 16th at happy hour, some
campers had arrived earlier in the week.
Brian took on the task as our rally coordinator and we were set up on the
messenger app to receive notifications of activities for the week.
The app was a great idea because there were so many of us and we were
spread out through the park because some of the sites were very wet due
to recent rain.
Brian also had a silly sausage award running and everyday someone was
awarded a gold coin chocolate if they happened to be caught out doing
something silly, the winner to be presented with a trophy at the last
supper.
The rate he was going I thought he may run out of the coins before the end
of the rally.
On Friday we enjoyed a Chinese lunch at the bowling club then we visited
the local shops for the afternoon followed by happy hour.
Colleen organised a shoe game (the ladies smuggled a pair of the shoes
in a bag to Colleen who the put them all in a pile and the men had to find
their wives' shoes) there were a few confused husbands.
The men organised a load of firewood and kept us warm with the 3 fires
pits going for happy hour.
Saturday a free day which was just as well because it was a very cold rainy
day.
On Sunday we had disc bowls at 1.30pm, yours truly got her first gold coin
for nearly hitting Margaret on the sideline with a disc.
Grand final contestants were
Glen Wilson and Grace Cashen
Noel Clair and Carolyn Gawn
Grace and Glenn won after a very close match.
Joy and Tony organised some games from their recent cruise and Gail
Curry won the box of chocolates.
Monday morning pancake breakfast followed by games afternoon, finska ,
bocci and horse shoe throwing for everyone to try.
On Tuesday, Joy and Tony organised a car rally to Bretti national park
where we met for a picnic lunch.
It was a dismal showery start but cleared enough to enjoy the rally.
10 cars participated with Gai, Tony and Marlene and Graham winning the
rally.
Tuesday afternoon early happy hour started with grocery grab, games,
birthday and Anniversary cakes, Joy did a great job organising enough
cake for everyone.
At the beginning of the rally everyone was given a black, yellow or purple
bin bag to fashion into apron for the best apron competition.
Grace Cashen won the ladies and Don won the men's with his mankini.
Wednesday was pack up day, Dianne organised a craft activity in the
morning, beautiful sunny day after a foggy start.
Last supper was at the roundabout hotel for shnitty night.
Gai won the silly sausage trophy and Tony declared the rally closed.
Our messenger app was buzzing all day Thursday with everyone
commenting
how much we all enjoyed the rally and many praises to those who put so
much effort into making it a success.
Thank you, Brian and Christine, Joy and Tony,
Wayne Len and the other men for keeping us warm.
Everyone who got up in the freezing cold to cook our pancakes
Colleen, Dianne and everyone else who helped to make the rally so much
fun.